Yair Lapid rules out unity government under PM Netanyahu
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said Wednesday that US midterm results and reports about Shin Bet chief David Zini's statements eliminate any possibility of a unity government under Benjamin Netanyahu. President Isaac Herzog begins consultations with factions.
Yair Lapid firmly rules out the possibility of a unity government under Benjamin Netanyahu, following remarks by David Zini and the results of the US elections. In a tweet he published, Lapid wrote: "Zini's remarks last night and the election results in America this morning have one unexpected outcome: it eliminates any possibility of a unity government under Netanyahu." Lapid added that Israel cannot afford for Netanyahu to remain prime minister, and that this endangers security and democracy. On the other hand, in Likud they assess that the correct strategy for Netanyahu at this stage is to avoid political initiatives and allow Eisenkot to try to form a government. Sources in Likud believe that Netanyahu's involvement in negotiations with the ultra-Orthodox parties could raise the price they would demand in talks with Eisenkot. Meanwhile, today (Wednesday) President Isaac Herzog will begin consultations with the factions ahead of the mandate.